I could swear I remember reading something that said the LSD was standard on the '01 AEs but I don't see any sign of it on mine. Am I just dreaming here or what? Maybe it's the '01 I30 I am thinking about.

 

Only 5spds has a VLSD. 2001 Aniversary Maximas. I30t 5spds had VLSD also. 01 5spd is much stronger- alot of 4th gen guys look for it. I was going to get a AE when I was buying my Maxima, but the 8K dollars in difference between my GXE and the AE was too much just for the VLSD I wanted.

 

OK, so I guess that means I have a problem since I have an AE and am not seeing the SLIP indicator light when starting the car like the manual says it should.

EDIT: After rereading the previous post, I guess it is being said that since I have an auto AE, I don't have VLSD.

 

To see if your SLIP light comes on... mash the gas hard on a wet pavement and it should kick on the SLIP light and cut power down- that is the nature of Nissans traction controll. I can't tell ya if the slip light is supposed to come on as I don't have TCS on my car since its a 5spd. TCS came out on some 99 Maximas and 00-up had it too. I don't remember if the light is supposed to come on or not durring start up- from the time I worked at Nissan in 99.

 

Ya, I read the manual and it says "SLIP" is supposed to light up when the key is turned to ON and then goes off when the car is started. Not seeing it though.

 

I thought the LSD was standard on all AE's, auto or manual. If I am not mistaken it even says that it was on my car on the window sticker and I have an auto. However, I do not see the "SLIP" light up so what's the deal?

 

My car is from Canada so it has a VLSD with manual tranny. There is no slip indicator because it isn't a traction control. It is a mechanical action not computer controlled, correct?

 

that is correct. auto & manual ae's come with vlsd. i confirmed mine up on a lift by rotating one side and the other side spins in the same direction instead of backwards. its not a very tight system and it seems there is some slack but its there. the primitive way i tested it is by turning traction control off and leave 2 black marks. look on your window sticker as well.

 

Is the AE VLSD viscous or gear?

Direct bolt in place of a current 5spd? No mods or "fiddling" necessary?

 

No Jon, the complete tranny needs swapped along with the drivers' side axle.

Viscous.

 

Pretty sure it's Viscous Coupling

 

ALL AE's have vlsd, manual or auto

do a search on car-parts.com for a 2k1 maxima transmission and see what options you have

the SLIP light is only for traction control

and if you still don't believe

click HERE

1997 - 2004 Nissan Maxima
Automatic Transmission
Trans Model Code First Second Third Fourth Fifth
RE4F04A All 2.785 1.545 1.000 0.694 -
RE4F04B All 2.785 1.545 1.000 0.694 -
RE4F04V All 2.785 1.545 1.000 0.694 -
RE4F04W 85X06 2.785 1.545 1.000 0.694 -
RE5F22A 8Y000 4.657 3.032 1.982 1.341 1.018 (2k4 maxima )

Manual Transmission
Trans Model First Second Third Fourth Fifth Sixth
RS5F50A 3.285 1.850 1.206 0.954 0.759 -
RS5F50V 3.285 1.850 1.206 0.954 0.759 -
RS6F51A 3.153 1.944 1.392 1.055 0.809 0.630 (5.5 gen open diff)
RS6F51H 3.153 1.944 1.392 1.055 0.809 0.630 (5.5 gen closed diff - helical)

 

I think the AE is viscous but the 2002-2003 had Helical LSD but only 6 speeds with metal pedals

 

OK, so in other words, my auto AE has the VLSD, but because I don't have the TCS, I won't see a light come on displaying the "SLIP" letters?

 

i thought all us ae autos had tcs. maybe its a part of the meridian package. but no, if you dont have tcs then you wont have a slip that comes on. i always disengage tcs when i drive, its routine like putting on the seat belt.

 

Ya, I am pretty sure I don't have TCS because there is no switch in the car allowing me to control the TCS.

 

ugg....nevermind. Not interested in Viscous. I was thinking complete tranny swap. But I dont want fluid...I want gears.

 

Yeah, the traction control was part of the extra package that included heated seats and mirrors and stuff. Mine doesn't have the heated package (living in texas it would be a waste anyways) and I do not have the traction control. It makes sense that the SLIP light is only for TCS because alot of other cars have the same thing, like mercedes for example.

 

Well, that's somewhat disappointing, but I guess the VLSD is still there when I need it.

 

you can't have both traction control and vlsd, they are both designed for the same purpose in situations of slip/lack of traction.

 

well i know i have tcs, switch for on and off. punch it when it on and it cuts fuel to certain cylinders til traction is established. with it off, it will go straight to redline. with the vehicle off on a lift, one side of the wheels are turned and the other wheel rotates in the same direction. vin confirms vlsd through nissan and ive got traction control as part of the meridian package.